Attention TV/radio announcers:

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     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (November 17) that Tung Chung Swimming Pool in Islands District has been temporarily closed for cleaning and superchlorination following the discovery of a small amount of vomit in the pool.

     It will be reopened at 5.20pm today.

     The department appeals to swimmers to be considerate and to keep the swimming pools clean. They are advised not to swim after a full meal and should use the toilet facilities if necessary before swimming.

     â€‹The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Lau Yip-shing, said today (November 17) at a passing-out parade of the Hong Kong Police College that the Police Force in face of difficulties and challenges with increasing complexity in recent years, has sucessfully risen to challenges to ensure public safety and social stability. He attributed it to public support and officers’ determination to tackle difficulties.

     Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lau said being a police officer is not only a career but a mission. He particularly mentioned that the police had remained steadfast to help the needy despite of dangerous and harsh conditions when super typhoon Mangkhut stormed Hong Kong. Saying that it is an act out of officers’ sense of mission to serve the community and their care for Hong Kong people, he hoped the graduates would always keep in mind the mission of safeguarding Hong Kong and serving the community.

     Mr Lau encouraged the graduates to execute their duties in an honest, fair, impartial and selfless manner with courage and perseverance. He added that they should also keep themselves abreast of the times, strive for continuous improvement, and enhance their abilities to enforce the law and interact with people, so as to fulfill the Police mission of We Serve with Pride and Care.

     Lastly, Mr Lau, prior to his retirement, expressed his gratitude to the Force for the nurture and trust given to him, as well as support and care from fellow officers. He added that it is an honour to bloom with such a professional, committed and excellent Police Force.

     A total of 52 probationary inspectors and 169 recruit police constables passed out today.

        

     The Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department held a certificate presentation ceremony at the Hong Kong Central Library today (November 17). More than 40 members of the 2017-18 Reading Programme for Children and Youth received awards for their efforts in library reading while volunteers enthusiastic in assisting with library services in the same year were rewarded with Gold Awards of the Voluntary Helpers Scheme.
 
     The Reading Programme for Children and Youth aims at encouraging readers to share their reading tips and participate in library activities apart from reading. The programme continues to attract an enthusiastic response with nearly 10 000 new members this year. Twenty-two members received Star of the Month awards with their reading reports, in which the seven best were awarded Reading Supernova. Eighteen members of the programme participating in the most sessions of the Monthly Meeting of Joyful Reading were awarded Elite of Joyful Reading medals.
 
     The HKPL hopes that by participating in the programme recommended by schools, students can build up their reading habits on campus. The five schools that successfully nominated the largest number of members in the year, namely Ying Wa Primary School, Good Health Anglo-Chinese Kindergarten (Ma On Shan), Good Health Anglo-Chinese Kindergarten (Tsing Yi), St Stephen's Church Primary School and Kindergarten and SKH Yan Laap Memorial Primary School, were presented with Most Active School in Promoting Participation awards.
 
     Five schools with the highest total number of books read by their nominated members won the Most Active School in Promoting Reading awards. The winning schools are W F Joseph Lee Primary School, SKH Yan Laap Primary School, SKH Tin Wan Chi Nam Primary School, Aberdeen St Peter's Catholic Primary School and Hong Kong Baptist Convention Primary School.
 
     Members of the public, through the Voluntary Helpers Scheme, can assist in providing library services on a voluntary basis while at the same time learn more about resources and facilities of public libraries. Three volunteers providing services of more than 100 hours this year received Gold Award certificates in recognition of their contributions to society.

     Speaking at the ceremony, the Assistant Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Libraries and Development), Miss Rochelle Lau, encouraged students to learn writing techniques, improve writing skills and develop their own writing styles through reading. She also thanked the students, parents, teachers, schools and everyone supporting the two programmes.
 
     Since its launch in 1984, the Reading Programme has encouraged the participation of children and youths from kindergarten to Secondary Six. To promote paired reading, children from kindergarten to Primary Three can join the family category with their parents. People interested in participating in the coming year's Reading Programme may contact any public library or visit www.hkpl.gov.hk/en/extension-activities/event-category/23427/reading-programme-for-children-and-youth.

    

     Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting tomorrow (November 18).

     The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

     The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

     Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.

     The 38th Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) is presenting a special spotlight on world-renowned auteur Wong Kar-wai in its Filmmaker in Focus series. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco is the presenting sponsor of the series at the Festival, which runs from November 8 to 18 (Hawaii time) in Hawaii, the United States.

     The series contains a retrospective of three important movies by Wong – "In the Mood for Love" (2000), "Happy Together" (1997) and "Chungking Express" (1994). Wong attended a special extended Q&A session after the screening of "Chungking Express" on November 15.

     "The films of Wong Kar-wai are very much a gateway to Asian and arthouse cinema for film fans around the world," the HIFF Artistic Director, Mr Anderson Le, said. "From 'Chungking Express' to 'In the Mood for Love', his films are considered some of the greatest works of all time. We are truly honored to host director Wong as he embodies the HIFF programming ethos, and enable our audiences to interact with one of the greatest living filmmakers."

     At the reception prior to the screening of "Chungking Express", the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco, Mr Ivanhoe Chang, expressed thanks to the HIFF for hosting director Wong and including the retrospective. "We are proud of director Wong's achievements. He has successfully demonstrated to the international audience the quality and stylistic work of our Hong Kong filmmakers," he said.

     Mr Chang said that filmmaking is very important and widely supported in Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government spares no effort in promoting film development, which is an essential element of Hong Kong's vibrant creative industries.

     He said that the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, reaffirmed the commitment to build up the brand name for Hong Kong films in her recently announced Policy Address. "She announced the injection of HK$1 billion into the Film Development Fund, with a view to boosting the development of Hong Kong's film industry through measures under four broad directions, namely nurturing talent, enhancing local production, market expansion and building the audience.

     "Since 2007, the Film Development Fund has financed over 30 film projects, involving funding of over HK$90 million. These films have won nearly 100 awards at local and overseas film festivals," he said.